Jayapura, Papua, July 3 -- Papuan armed separatists attacked a passenger aircraft in Yahukimo, Highland Papua, on Thursday, killing an American pilot and setting the plane ablaze, Indonesian police and military officials said.

Yahukimo Police Chief Senior Adjunct Commissioner Zet Salino said the attackers were members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM)-affiliated armed group, officially designated as an armed criminal group (KKB).

He said the attack occurred in Balinggama Village, which is accessible only by air and lies about 30 minutes by plane from Dekai, the Yahukimo district capital.

Habema Joint Operations Command spokesman Lt. Col. Wirya Arthadiguna said rescue efforts were delayed by bad weather and would resume Friday morning. ...